AIPEF calls for nationwide lightning action against Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 on March 10
Dehradun, March 8
The Federal Executive of the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF), in its meeting held here today, expressed serious concern and strong resentment over the reported move of the Government of India to table and pass the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session.
Shailrndra Dubey Chairman & P Rathnakar Rao Secretary General AIPEF told the meeting noted with deep anguish that despite large-scale objections submitted by stakeholders including power employees, engineers, farmers’ organizations and consumer groups, the Government appears to be pushing the Bill without proper discussion and democratic consultation. AIPEF stated that when comments were invited on the proposed amendments, it was the responsibility of the Government to transparently disclose how those objections were examined and addressed. Ignoring these objections and rushing the legislation undermines the democratic process.
AIPEF strongly objected to the manner in which the consultation process has been handled. The Federation pointed out that the Ministry of Power constituted a Working Group on 30 January 2026 to examine the comments, which included the Director General of the All India DISCOM Association, an organization that has consistently advocated privatization of the distribution sector. Including such a body in the process of finalizing a national amendment law raises serious questions about the neutrality and fairness of the process.
The Federal Executive reiterated that the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the National Electricity Policy 2026 appear to be instruments designed to accelerate large-scale privatization of the power sector. AIPEF warned that such policies will weaken the public electricity system and adversely affect electricity employees, farmers and common consumers.
The meeting also expressed serious concern over the aggressive push for privatization across the power sector. Privatization of distribution companies is being promoted by linking central financial assistance to states with conditions such as equity privatization, management control to private companies and listing of DISCOMs on stock exchanges. AIPEF termed these measures as coercive attempts to force privatization.
The Federal Executive also reviewed the ongoing struggles in various states, particularly the massive movement in Uttar Pradesh against the proposed privatization of Purvanchal and Dakshinanchal DISCOMs, which has now continued for more than 466 days with active participation of employees, consumers and farmers.
The meeting further expressed strong opposition to the decision of the Government of Uttarakhand to transfer 76.73 hectares of land belonging to hydel power projects of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited at Dakpathar and Dhalipur through the Uttarakhand Infrastructure and Industrial Development Board for allocation to the private sector. AIPEF warned that diversion of land meant for strategic hydel projects will seriously affect the development of important national projects such as Lakhwar, Kishau and other Yamuna basin hydel projects and will be strongly resisted. AIPEF deplored the action of Punjab Govt in selling power sector land and victimizing office bearers who are opposing it.
The Federal Executive also reiterated its demand for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for power sector employees and engineers across the country.
In view of these developments, AIPEF has given a clarion call for nationwide lightning action on 10 March 2026. If the Government proceeds with tabling the Electricity (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, power engineers and employees across the country will boycott work and organize massive demonstrations outside offices and project sites.
AIPEF will coordinate with the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE) and other power sector organizations to intensify the nationwide movement to defend the public electricity sector.
The Federal Executive called upon all power engineers and employees across the country to remain united and prepared to defend the interests of the power sector, electricity employees, farmers and consumers.
